Heat Exchanger for Vehicle

ABSTRACT

A heat exchanger for a vehicle may include an inflow tank provide with an inflow hole into which operating fluid flows, an exhaust tank disposed apart from the inflow tank by a predetermined distance and provided with an exhaust hole from which the operating fluid is exhausted, and at least one heat radiating unit provided with at least one coupling pipe formed by coupling at least one plate at which at least one protruding portion is formed along a length direction, and adapted to fluidly connect the inflow tank with the exhaust tank, wherein a connecting line is formed in the coupling pipe so as for the operating fluid to flow therein, and the operating fluid flowing in the coupling pipe is cooled by heat-exchange with another operating fluid that flows at an outside of the coupling pipe.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority of Korean Patent Application Number 10-2011-0131912 filed Dec. 9, 2011, the entire contents of which application is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger for a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a heat exchanger for a vehicle which improves heat-exchanging efficiency by changing flow of an operating fluid and forming turbulence efficiently.

2. Description of Related Art

Recently, studies of smaller size, lighter weight, and higher efficiency have been developed in vehicle industry because consumers showed higher interested in environment and energy.

A heat exchanger transfers heat from high-temperature fluid to low-temperature fluid through a heat transfer surface, and is used in a radiator, a heater, a cooler, an evaporator, and a condenser. The heat exchanger absorbs heat from an environment and radiates heat to the other environment between two environments having a temperature difference.

Such a heat exchanger reuses heat energy or controls a temperature of an operating fluid flowing therein for demanded performance. The heat exchanger is applied to an air conditioning system or a transmission oil cooler of a vehicle, and is mounted at an engine compartment.

The heat exchanger is hard to be mounted at the engine compartment with restricted space. Studies for the heat exchanger with smaller size, lighter weight, and higher efficiency have been developed.

Recently, a heat exchanger of plate type or a heat exchanger of shell and tube type has been researched. The heat exchanger of plate type is formed by stacking plates and uses a coolant as a heat transfer medium, and the heat exchanger of shell and tube type is provided with reduced-diameter portions formed at interior circumferences of a plurality of pipes so as to change flow of the operating fluid and form turbulence.

Since internal pressure of the heat exchanger of plate type is low compared with the heat exchanger of shell and tube type when exchanging heat between high pressure and low pressure fluids, thickness of the plate should be increased. Therefore, heat-exchanging efficiency between the operating fluids may be deteriorated and manufacturing cost, weight, and size may increase.

Since the reduced-diameter portions should be formed at the interior circumference of each pipe according to the heat exchanger of shell and tube type having excellent heat-exchanging efficiency compared with the heat exchanger of plate type, manufacturing cost may increase. In addition, since an exterior circumference of the pipe is smooth, turbulence is hard to be formed at air. Therefore, heat-exchanging efficiency may not increase efficiently compared with the manufacturing cost.

The information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Various aspects of the present invention provide for a heat exchanger for a vehicle having advantages of improving heat-exchanging efficiency of operating fluids and cooling performance of the heat exchanger by changing flow of the operating fluid passing in the heat exchanger and forming turbulence at the operating fluid flowing at an outside of the heat exchanger.

Various aspects of the present invention provide for a heat exchanger for a vehicle that may include an inflow tank provide with an inflow hole into which operating fluid flows, an exhaust tank disposed apart from the inflow tank by a predetermined distance and provided with an exhaust hole from which the operating fluid is exhausted, and at least one heat radiating unit provided with at least one coupling pipe formed by coupling at least one plate at which at least one protruding portion is formed along a length direction, and adapted to fluidly connect the inflow tank with the exhaust tank, wherein a connecting line is formed in the coupling pipe so as for the operating fluid to flow therein, and the operating fluid flowing in the coupling pipe is cooled by heat-exchange with another operating fluid that flows at an outside of the coupling pipe.

The protruding portion may be provided with an exterior circumference and an interior circumference formed with semi-circular shape and may be disposed as spiral shape along a length direction of the plate.

Both ends of the heat radiating unit may be inserted respectively in the inflow tank and the exhaust tank, and the protruding portion may not be formed at the both ends of the heat radiating unit.

The coupling pipe may be a circular pipe formed by a plurality of protruding portions, and an interior circumference and an exterior circumference of the coupling pipe may be formed as spiral shape such that vortex is generated at the operating fluid flowing in the connecting line by rotation of the operating fluid and another operating fluid flowing at the outside of the connecting line is caused to form turbulence.

The coupling pipe, in a state that protruding portions of a pair of plate are disposed so as to be protruded toward the outside, may be formed by coupling the pair of plates.

The protruding portion may be formed integrally at the plate by pressing.

Neighboring heat radiating units may be disposed alternately in a width direction such that the coupling pipe of one of the neighboring heat radiating units is disposed between neighboring coupling pipes of the other of the neighboring heat radiating units.

The number of the coupling pipes included in the heat radiating unit may be changed according to sizes of the inflow tank and the exhaust tank.

The coupling pipes consisting of one heat radiating unit may be releasably assembled with each other.

A plurality of rows of protruding portions may be formed at one plate, and the one plate may be folded to form the heat radiating unit such that one row of protruding portions is connected to another row of protruding portions so as to form the coupling pipe.

The plate may be provided with at least one flowing hole formed between the coupling pipes.

At least one first insertion hole may be formed at an inner surface of the inflow tank along a length direction corresponding to the heat radiating unit.

At least one second insertion hole may be formed at an inner surface of the exhaust tank along a length direction corresponding to the heat radiating unit.

The heat exchanger may further include first and second mounting caps mounted at upper ends of the inflow tank and the exhaust tank, and first and second sealing caps mounted at lower ends of the inflow tank and the exhaust tank.

Another operating fluid that flows at the outside of the coupling pipe may be air.

Flowing direction of the operating fluid passing in the connecting line of the coupling pipe may be perpendicular to that of the air flowing at the outside of the coupling pipe.

The operating fluid flowing in the connecting line of the coupling pipe may be one of coolant, engine oil, transmission oil, air conditioner refrigerant and vehicle exhaust gas.

The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary heat exchanger for a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary heat radiating unit applicable to a heat exchanger for a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary heat radiating unit applicable to a heat exchanger for a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are schematic diagrams for showing operation of an exemplary heat exchanger for a vehicle according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that present description is not intended to limit the invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a heat radiating unit applicable to a heat exchanger for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention; and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a heat radiating unit applicable to a heat exchanger for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, a heat exchanger 100 for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention is adapted to improve heat-exchanging efficiency of operating fluids and cooling performance of the heat exchanger 100 by changing flow of the operating fluid passing in the heat exchanger 100 and forming turbulence at the operating fluid flowing at an outside of the heat exchanger 100.

For these purposes, the heat exchanger 100 for the vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, includes an inflow tank 110, an exhaust tank 120, and a heat radiating unit 130, and detailed description thereof will be described.

The inflow tank 110 includes an inflow hole 112, and the operating fluid flows into the inflow tank 110 through the inflow hole 112.

The exhaust tank 120 is disposed apart from the inflow tank 110 by a predetermined distance, and an exhaust hole 122 is formed at the exhaust tank 120. The operating fluid having exchanging heat is exhausted from the exhaust tank 120 through the exhaust hole 122.

Herein, a first mounting cap 114 is mounted at an upper end of the inflow tank 110, and a first sealing cap 116 is mounted at a lower end of the inflow tank 110. In addition, a second mounting cap 124 is mounted at an upper end of the exhaust tank 120, and a second sealing cap 126 is mounted at a lower end of the exhaust tank 120. The inflow hole 112 is formed at the first mounting cap 114 and the exhaust hole 122 is formed at the second mounting cap 124.

The mounting caps 114 and 124 and the sealing caps 116 and 126 seal the tanks 110 and 120 such that the operating fluid stored in the inflow tank 110 and the exhaust tank 120 cannot be communicated with the outside of the tanks 110 and 120 except through the inflow hole 112 and the exhaust hole 122.

In addition, the heat radiating unit 130 includes a plurality of coupling pipes 138 formed by assembling plates 132 at which at least one protruding portion 134 is formed along a length direction. A connecting line 136 for fluidly connecting the inflow tank 110 with the exhaust tank 120 is formed in the coupling pipe 138. Therefore, the operating fluid flowing into the inflow tank 110 through the inflow hole 112 flows to the exhaust tank 120 through the connecting line 136. After that, the operating fluid is exhausted from the exhaust tank 120 through the exhaust hole 122.

A plurality of heat radiating units 130 is disposed in parallel with each other between the inflow tank 110 and the exhaust tank 120. The operating fluid passing through the coupling pipe 138 is cooled by heat-exchange with another operating fluid flowing at an outside of the coupling pipe 138.

The heat exchanger 100 may be an air-cooled heat exchanger using air as heat transfer medium. That is, when the operating fluid flowing into the inflow tank 110 passes through the connecting line 136 of the coupling pipe 138, the operating fluid may be cooled by air passing at the outside of the coupling pipe 138.

Herein, flowing direction of the operating fluid flowing in the connecting line 136 of the coupling pipe 138 is perpendicular to that of the air flowing at the outside of the coupling pipe 138. That is, the operating fluid and the air flow in vertical directions to each other and exchange heat with each other.

Therefore, since the operating fluid and the air exchange heat with each other while flowing in different directions according to the heat exchanger 100, heat may be exchanged more efficiently.

A plurality of first insertion holes 118 is formed at an inner surface of the inflow tank 110 in a length direction thereof corresponding to the heat radiating unit 130, in various embodiments. An end of the heat radiating unit 130 is inserted in the first insertion hole 118. The plurality of first insertion holes 118 may be disposed with even distance.

In addition, a plurality of second insertion holes 128 is formed at an inner surface of the exhaust tank 120 in a length direction thereof corresponding to the heat radiating unit 130. The other end of the heat radiating unit 130 is inserted in the second insertion hole 128. The plurality of second insertion holes 128 may be disposed with even distance.

That is, both ends of the heat radiating unit 130 are inserted respectively in the first insertion hole 118 and the second insertion hole 128 such that the heat radiating unit 130 is mounted at the inflow tank 110 and the exhaust tank 120 and connects the inflow tank 110 with the exhaust tank 120.

Herein, neighboring heat radiating units 130, as shown in FIG. 3, are disposed alternately in a width direction. That is, the coupling pipe 138 of one of the neighboring heat radiating units 130 is disposed between neighboring coupling pipes 138 of the other of the neighboring heat radiating units 130.

Therefore, the plurality of heat radiating units 130 is disposed in a multi-layers, and thereby contact area between the air and the external circumference of the coupling pipe 138 can be increased.

An exterior circumference and an interior circumference of the protruding portion 134, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, are formed with semi-circular shape according to various embodiments. The plurality of protruding portions 134 is disposed as spiral shape along a length direction of the plate 132.

Herein, the protruding portion 134 is not formed at both end portions of the heat radiating unit 130. Since the both end portions of the heat radiating unit 130 are inserted respectively in the first and second insertion holes 118 and 128 formed at the inflow tank 110 and the exhaust tank 120, straight line sections are formed at the both end portions of the heat radiating unit 130 so as to seal between the both end portions of the heat radiating unit 130 and the first and second insertion holes 118 and 128.

The protruding portion 134 can be integrally and/or monolithically formed at the plate 132 by pressing.

According to various embodiments, the coupling pipe 138 is a circular pipe formed by the plurality of protruding portions 134, and an interior circumference and an exterior circumference of the coupling pipe 138 are formed as spiral shape.

When the operating fluid flows in the connecting line 136, the coupling pipe 138 causes the operating fluid to rotate so as to generate vortex.

In addition, the air passing at the outside of the coupling pipe 138 is caused to form turbulence such that heat-exchanging efficiency between the operating fluid and the air may be improved.

A pair of plates 132 is coupled to form a pipe shape in a state that the protruding portions 134 of the pair of plates 132 are disposed so as to be protruded toward the outside. Thereby, the coupling pipe 138 is formed.

That is, in a state that the pair of plates 132 is disposed such that inner surfaces of the protruding portions 134 formed at the pair of plates 132 face each other, the pair of plates 132 are coupled to each other so as to form the coupling pipe 138 having the connecting line 136 therein.

Herein, the pair of plates 132 may be coupled by welding.

The number of the coupling pipes 138 included in the heat radiating unit 130 can be controlled according to sizes of the inflow tank 110 and the exhaust tank 120. In addition, the coupling pipes 138 consisting of one heat radiating unit 130 is releasably assembled.

The heat radiating unit 130, as shown in FIG. 3, includes two coupling pipes 138 according to various embodiments, but is not limited. That is, the number of coupling pipes 138 consisting of one heat radiating unit 130 according to the sizes of the inflow tank 110 and the exhaust tank 120. In addition, the desirable number of coupling pipes 138 may be disassembled from the heat radiating unit 130 including a plurality of coupling pipes 138 according to the number of coupling pipes 138.

Meanwhile, at least one flowing hole 139 may be formed between the coupling pipes 138 in the plate 132 according to various embodiments. The flowing hole 139 is formed along a length direction of the plate 132.

After the protruding portion 134 is formed at the plate 132 by pressing, the flowing hole 139 may be formed by punching.

Herein, the flowing hole 139 enables the air passing at the outside of the heat radiating unit 130 flows upwardly or downwardly with respect to the heat radiating unit 130. Therefore, flow of the air at an exterior circumference of the coupling pipe 138 can be uniformalized. Therefore, heat-exchanging efficiency between the operating fluid and the air can be further enhanced.

According to various embodiments, two plates 132 are assembled with each other so as to form the heat radiating unit 130. This is not limited. A plurality of rows of protruding portions 134 is formed at one plate 132, and the one plate 132 is folded to form the heat radiating unit such that one row of protruding portions 134 is connected to another row of protruding portions so as to form the coupling pipe 138 having the connecting line 136.

Hereinafter, operation and function of the heat exchanger 100 for the vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are schematic diagrams for showing operation of a heat exchanger for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention.

The operating fluid, as shown in FIG. 6, flows into the inflow tank 110 through the inflow hole 112. The operating fluid flows to the exhaust tank 120 along the connecting line 136 of the coupling pipe 138 in the heat radiating units 130 disposed alternately in multi-layers.

At this time, since the protruding portions 134 of the coupling pipe 138 are formed as spiral shape, the operating fluid flowing in the connecting line 136 is rotated to generate the vortex.

Herein, the air, as shown in FIG. 7, flows at the outside of the heat radiating unit 130. At this time, the turbulence is formed at the air by spiral shape of the protruding portions 134.

Simultaneously, the air is distributed evenly above and below of the heat radiating unit 130 disposed in the multi-layers through the flowing hole 139. Therefore, the air exchanges heat with the operating fluid efficiently.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the operating fluid flowing into the heat exchanger 100 and exchanging heat with the air may be coolant, engine oil, transmission oil, air conditioner refrigerant and vehicle exhaust gas.

In addition, the heat exchanger 100 according to various embodiments of the present invention can be used to various applications including the vehicle.

Since the operating fluid flowing in the heat exchanger 100 is rotated to generate vortex and another operating fluid passing at the outside of the heat exchanger is caused to form turbulence according to various embodiments of the present invention, heat-exchanging efficiency of the operating fluids may be improved. Therefore, cooling performance of the heat exchanger 100 may be improved.

In addition, at least one plate 132 forming with the protruding portions 134 of spiral shape is assembled to form the coupling pipe 138 of spiral shape having the connecting line 136. Therefore, manufacturing cost may be reduced and weight of the heat exchanger 100 may be lowered.

Since a cross-sectional shape of the connecting line 136 in which the high pressure operating fluid flows is circular, internal pressure may be raised and durability may be improved compared with a conventional heat exchanger of plate type.

For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms upper or lower, front or rear, inside or outside, and etc. are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat exchanger for vehicle, comprising: an inflow tank provide with an inflow hole into which operating fluid flows; an exhaust tank disposed away from the inflow tank by a predetermined distance and provided with an exhaust hole from which the operating fluid is exhausted; and at least one heat radiating unit provided with at least one coupling pipe formed by coupling at least one plate at which at least one protruding portion is formed along a length direction, and adapted to fluidly connect the inflow tank with the exhaust tank; wherein a connecting line is formed in the coupling pipe for the operating fluid to flow therethrough, and the operating fluid flowing in the coupling pipe is cooled by heat-exchange with another operating fluid that flows at an outside of the coupling pipe.
 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is provided with an exterior circumference and an interior circumference formed with semi-circular shape and is disposed in a spiral shape along a length direction of the plate.
 3. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein opposing ends of the heat radiating unit are inserted respectively in the inflow tank and the exhaust tank, and the protruding portion is not formed at the opposing ends of the heat radiating unit.
 4. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the coupling pipe is a circular pipe formed by a plurality of protruding portions, and an interior circumference and an exterior circumference of the coupling pipe are formed as spiral shape such that vortex is generated at the operating fluid flowing in the connecting line by rotation of the operating fluid and another operating fluid flowing at the outside of the connecting line is caused to form turbulence.
 5. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the coupling pipe, in a state that protruding portions of a pair of plate are disposed so as to be protruded toward the outside, is formed by coupling the pair of plates.
 6. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is formed integrally at the plate by pressing.
 7. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein neighboring heat radiating units are disposed alternately in a width direction such that the coupling pipe of one of the neighboring heat radiating units is disposed between neighboring coupling pipes of the other of the neighboring heat radiating units.
 8. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the number of the coupling pipes included in the heat radiating unit varies according to sizes of the inflow tank and the exhaust tank.
 9. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the coupling pipes of one heat radiating unit are releasably assembled with each other.
 10. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a plurality of rows of protruding portions is formed at one plate, and the one plate is folded to form the heat radiating unit such that one row of protruding portions is connected to another row of protruding portions so as to form the coupling pipe.
 11. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the plate is provided with at least one flowing hole formed between the coupling pipes.
 12. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein at least one first insertion hole is formed at an inner surface of the inflow tank along a length direction corresponding to the heat radiating unit.
 13. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein at least one second insertion hole is formed at an inner surface of the exhaust tank along a length direction corresponding to the heat radiating unit.
 14. The heat exchanger of claim 1, further comprising: first and second mounting caps mounted at upper ends of the inflow tank and the exhaust tank; and first and second sealing caps mounted at lower ends of the inflow tank and the exhaust tank.
 15. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein another operating fluid that flows at the outside of the coupling pipe is air.
 16. The heat exchanger of claim 15, wherein flowing direction of the operating fluid passing in the connecting line of the coupling pipe is perpendicular to that of the air flowing at the outside of the coupling pipe.
 17. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the operating fluid flowing in the connecting line of the coupling pipe is one of coolant, engine oil, transmission oil, air conditioner refrigerant and vehicle exhaust gas. 